The evolution of truth

TEDxRuakura

We have heard over and over that we now live in a post truth world …
What does that even mean?
Facts are Facts, Truth is Truth right?

The answer is not as simple as you might think. In this wide ranging talk, Professor Peters shows us how Truth had different meanings in different cultures and different times in our past. Giving us a sense of how Truth has evolved into the Post Truth model that has become so prevalent today.

Given this context, what does truth really mean to our lives on a day-to-day basis? Where will truth evolve to from here? And how can we influence the evolution of truth from here?

This talk was part of TEDxRuakura 2017: I think, therefore I am. I drink, therefore I am.

Professor Michael A. Peters has spent many an evening pondering the importance of philosophy for everyday life over a glass of vino or two. A Professor of Education at the University of Waikato and Emeritus Professor in educational policy, organisation, and leadership at the University of Illinois, Professor Peters also used to own a vineyard. “I like the connection between wine and philosophy.”

With two honorary doctorates, over eighty books and five hundred papers and chapters to his name, his interests are in education, philosophy, social policy and particularly knowledge production and consumption. His latest research focuses on distributed knowledge, learning and publishing systems, and open education.

This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx

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Michael A. Peters

Michael A. Peters (FRSNZ)  is a New Zealander and is currently Distinguished Professor at Beijing Normal University and Emeritus Professor University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. He was awarded a Personal Chair at the University of Auckland in 2000 and became a Research Professor at the University of Glasgow (2000-2006) before being appointed Excellence Hire Professor at Illinois and Professor of Education at the University of Waikato. He has Honorary Doctorates from Aalborg University, Denmark and SUNY, New York.

Michael was Editor-in-Chief of Educational Philosophy and Theory for 25 years and is currently Editor of Beijing International Review of Education (Brill). He is the founding editor of Policy Futures in Education (Sage); E-Learning & Digital Media (Sage); Knowledge Cultures (Addleton); Open Review of Educational Research (Taylor & Francis); Video Journal of Education and Pedagogy (Brill) and on the board of many other journals and book series.

Michael has written over 120 books and many journal articles on a wide range of topics and has worked with and mentored many younger scholars. He was given the Social Science and Humanities Leader in China Award in both 2022 and 2023 (Research.com) and is ranked 1st in China and 5th in Asia for Education and Educational Philosophy and Theory (AD Scientific Index, 2023). He is also ranked in the World’s Top 2% of Scientists by Stanford University. His recent works includes two books on the apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic philosophy to be published in 2024.